Fire-alarm system



'uy 29, 1924. V 1,503,439

' N` H. SJUREN FIRE ALARM` SYS TEM Filed April 4, 1919 3 sheets-'sheet l Inj/@Mova- Niaanuwen,

july 29 1924.

N. H. SUREN FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Filed April 4, 1919 3 She`et$-Sheet-2 July 29, 1924. 1,503,439

N. H. SUREN FIRE' ALARM SYSTEM Filed April 4, 1919 3 Sheets-sheet 4o dv IIIIII Il lmvenfov: NahanH/Swen,

Fatentedl July 29, i924..

TE TATES NATHAN Hennen, or NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, Assrsnoa To GAMWELL ALARM TELEsnAPH COMPANY, een

CORPORATION or New YORK.

tiene PATENT OFFICE;-

EwToN UPPER PALLS, MASSAGHUSETTS, A

Pian-ALARM SYSTEM.

Application led April 4, 1919.-v rSerial` No.' 287,502;Y

Systems, of kwhich the Jfollowing 'description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a speciiication, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.-

This invention relates to lire-alarm systems and more particularly to auxiliary tire-alarm systems whereby signaling mechanism in the main circuit is adapted toY be actuated from one orvmore stations on the auxiliary circuit. Y ,e

- One object of the invention-is to provide means for automatically differentiatingbe tween an intentional or emergency signal transmitted from one of the stations on the auxiliary circuit and a Signal which is-the result of a line fault, such as'the breaking of the auxiliary circuit, and to provide means whereby the occurrence of a line fault may be signalled to the'central sta' tic-n by means of Some specific signal indicating such fault. i

vThis and other objects oi the invention f will be best understood by reference to the Jfollowing description when taken in connection with the accompanying` illustration oil one specific embodiment thereof, while its Scope will be more, particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Y VFig. 1 shows in `front elevation of a usual type of Street tire-alarm box to which is applied one specific forni offbox-pulling attachment which may be used in carrying out the invention;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram showing the location of the lire-alarm box illustrated in Fig. 1 in a typical, main {ire-alarm circuit and its connection to theauxiliary circuit;

Fig. Qais a diagrammatic representation of one ot the signaling switches;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the parts constituting the auxiliary box-pulling attachment, these parts being shown o-n a somewhat larger scale than in Fig. 1; n

Fig. l is a Sectional elevation taken on the. line 4 4 'inFig 3, looking in the direction of the arrow, and Showingtlierelease lever for the main drum; y.

. Figjis a section in plan on thezlinefin Fig. 3 Showing theyrelation of the' armature andarmature lever to the Startingmagnet;

Fig.V 6 kis ansectional elevation' takenfon the line 6-6in Fig. 3,Y looking in the ydirection of the arrow, and showing. the -box starting parts and controlling cam there-V for;

Fig, the line 7--7 in Fig. 3, looking in thedirectionA of the arrow, and showing the cam-and other `parts for ,controlling the sending of the specific signal; Y

Fig. 8 is an elevation in sectionY taken on the line 8-8 looking in the direction of the arrow, and Showing the operation .of the shunt lever andzother related parts;` and Fig. 9 is a ypartial side elevation showing the parts for operating the' indicator` Referring to the drawings "and particularly toFigs. 1 and 2, l have thereshown conventionally for Villustrative purposes, aV

main fire-alarm circuit -10 Vpassing from the vcentral station 11l and including thereat a battery or other source of current 1-2.

Included in the mainy circuit, there are also provided one or more signaling stations at which there is located suitab-le'signaling mechanism yincluding a signaling A train, one such station being indicated at 13 and others atv-14, 15, and 16, and each one beingadapted, when actuated, to transmit to the'central station its individual signal.

The Signaling box at the Station 13 has the casing 17 within `which `there isI contained any usual o-r suitable signaling mechanism. The Specific construction of this apparatus is immaterial, but as typifying a usual mechanism of this kind, I have herein indicated conventionally and diagrammatically theworking parts of a common form of signaling train which isadapted to be released and set into operation to transmit its signal by the depression of the starting lever 18. The latter may be operated by any of the usual manual pull devices, but herein, either in conjunction with or to the exclusion of a manual operation, the vpull lever may be depressed and the train released by the bell-crank tripping lever 19,

7 is a sectional elevation taken on The lower end of the latter bears against the upper edge of the lever 18, while its upper arm is jointed to the box-tripping link 20 which latter is adapted t0 be Apushed to trip the boxA bythe auxiliary magnet 21 acting through suitalble mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Referring now tof the electrical connections, the auxiliary magnet 21 is not only in the main circuit but is also in a shunt or auxiliary circuit 22 (Fig. 2) which extends from the master box or station 13 and has one or more emergency signaling stations arranged at intervals and provided each with a switch 23, by means of any one of which, as will lbe described, the master box 13 may be actuated and the characteristic signal of that particular box transmitted to the central station.

The main circuit 10, therefore, leads from Vthe central station to one side of the auxiliary magnet 21, which is normally shunted the shunt,the current'mainly passing to the other side of the magnet and through the conductor 26 and the. normally closed contacts 27. Thence it passes through the normally closed signaling contacts 28 controlled by the signaling train and through the noir interfering magnet 29 to the box terminal 30, whence it leads through the other master boxes in succession and back to the central station. The remaining boxes, if desired, may be equipped with auxiliary actuating mechanism and auxiliary circuiting similar to that associated with the box 13.

vention, the auxiliary circuit 22 is normally closed around the auxiliary or starting magnet 21, and the latter, owing to its relatively high resistance, receives so small a proportion of the main line current as to prevent its effective energization. .lf the auxiliary circuit, however, is broken, as by opening the switch 23 at one of the signaling stations, the starting magnet 21 is energized by the full main line current which thereupon passes through the same.

In the illustrative form of the invention, the construction is such that if the auxil circuit is broken intentionally by movement of one of the signaling switches 23, the in aster box is immediately actuated to give its characteristic signal. But if the auxiliary circuit is broken accidentally, a specific nal only is transmitted to the central sta' 'on indicating a fault in one of the auxiliary circuits. According to lthe at justment or rconstruction of the device, this specific nal may or may not be followed by the characteristic box signal thereby indicating in which particular auxiliary circuit on the system `the fault has occurred.

For this purpose, the switches 23, at the auxiliary circuit signaling stations, which bythe auxiliary circuit 22, thence through In the illustrative embodiment of the inswitches are herein only conventionally shown, are so constructed that when any switch is moved it breaks the auxiliary cir cuit, but is directly thereafter released and returned to its normal circuit-closing position, therebyk restoring the circuit and permitting a temporary energization only of the starting magnet 21.

AIn Fig. 2a such a switch is diagrammatically indicated, the switch being normally ield in closed position against a stop 158 by means of the spring 160. lvl/'hen the switch arm is depressed to open the circuit it is automatically closed by the spring, but only after the lapse of a predetermined time interval which is determined by the dash pot 161, or other equivalent device, connected to the switch arm to retard its return to its closed position. The devices controlled by the starting apparatus are so constructed that they automatically ydifferentiate through thek signals transmitted between such a temporary energization of the starting magnet resulting from an emergency signal in the auxiliary circuit and a persisting energization of the magnet resulting from an accidental break therein.

Referring now to the devices which are actuated by the starting magnet, the latter and its associated parts are mounted upon a segmental frame or casting l-O secured to the side of the casing 17 and presenting bearings 41, 4t2 in which a main shaft t3 see Fig. 4f) is adapted' to turn. A motive device for starting the box is provided in thV form of the main drum 114;, mounted on the shaft and connected thereto by means of a flat coiled. spring 4&5, one end of which is secured to the interior of the drum and the other end to a hub i5 upon the shaft.

The apparatus is placed in its set condition, as will more fully appear. by turning the shaft 4:8 through suitable tlirning kei1 applied to the squared end 457 of the shafty and thereby winding up `or tensioning the spring lll, The drum, which is normally held against movement, then adapted to turn left-handedly as viewed in Fig. e. or right-handedly as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7. as soon as suitable releasing mechanism is set into operation by the energization of the starting magnet 21. f

Referring to Figs. 3 and el, the drum is provided at one circmnferential edge with f-he 63, adapted to mesh with the pinion 641-, connected to the pallet wheel 65 on the pallet wheel shaft 6G. the pallet wheel having engaged therewith a pallet 67 of such construction that the drum in its rotation is given a retarded or time-controlled movement.

The pallet wheel and drum are normally held against movement by a stop pin 68, carried by the releasing lever 51, pivoted at 52 on the frame. This stop pin normally engages a similar pin69 on the pallet wheel 65, and whenthus engaged a pin 50 projecting laterally from the upper end of the lever 51 enters a slot formed in an annular flange the path vof the pallet wheel 69 and the latter starts to revolve releasing also the druni 44 which is geared'thereto. As soon as the drum starts turning and before the pallet wheel has made one revolution, the drum flange 53, by its inclined surface, has forced the releasing lever through its pin 50 into an abnormal position where thev stop pin 68 cannot meetthe pallet wheel 69 and stop it until the drum completes its revolution. When this occurs, the pin 50 drops into the `Vslot in the annular flange just before the pallet wheel pin c omes to its normal position, causing tliejstop'p'in 68y to bring the ypallet wheel to rest. The gearing is herein selected sothat the pallet wheel makes four revolutions for each revolution of the drum. During the rotation of the' drum, the pin .50 bearsagainst the inner wall of the flange being held thereagainst by the lspring 54 acting on the lever 51. ltV will thus be seen,

thatzwhen once released, the fdrum will continue to turn until it-,completes one revolu` tion, being always brought to rest by the stop-'pin on the pallet wheel inY the same angular position.

To trip the release lever 51, the latter has va depending portion 55, the lower 'end of `which lies opposite a. laterally projecting pin 56 carried by oneend of the armature leverr 57, the Y'latter being securedgto the upper end of the armature' shaft 58 and adapted kto oscillate therewith when moved by the armature 59 connected to the lowerV end ofthe armature shaft (Figs. 3 and 5).

'When the Starting magnet Y21L is energized, the armature (see Fig. is attracted toward the magnet. poles 60 against the tension of the retracting spring 6l and swings counter clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 5) turningv the armature shaft and simultaneously swinging the armature lever k57, the pin 56 being thereupon brought into engagement with the end 55 of the release leverforcing the latter into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, and freeingthe drum.

` After the drum starts to turn, the signal is selected or. differentiated, according as the break in the auxiliaryk circuit, which causes 'the 'energization of the magnet, is accidental or intentional. To control the sendingof a signal` indicating a line fault, there is providedfaffacec'am .70 (see Figs. 3,;and 7),

which is mounted to turn upon the shaft 43 lever, so that, when the latter is moved by the energization of the magnet, thesignalbut rigidly connected to the drum 44 to turn therewith. The cani ZO 'is provided upon its face with anannular groove 7l, and also with a short, segmental groove@ opening into the annular groove and curved toward the centre of the cani. `Working in the groove 7l is a lateral pin 73,1carried by the signaling lever 74, the latter being connected to a liiib which turns freely upon the pallet wheel shaft 66. At the opposite end of the hub 75 (see Fig. 3), there is provided the depending finger piece 76, carrying the adjustable set screw 77, the end of which lies within the path of the left hand end (as viewed in Fig. 5) of the armature ing lever 74 is forced in such a direction as to press the pin 73 against the inner wall of the annular cam groove 7l, such pin benl ing normally pressed against the outer wall thereof by means of the tensionV spring 78 connected to the depending finger piece rk76.

If the break in the auxiliary circuit is a persisting break, indicating a fault in the line, the armature will remain attracted and the pin .73, being forced against the inner wall of the annular cam groove, will enter thel segmental groove '72 when a. sufiicientintervall has elapsed to bring the mouth of l that groove opposite the pin onl the signaling lever. lf the break in the auxiliary circuit is caused by pulling one of the emergency switches 23, the circuitwilljbe quickly clcsed again, and thev armature released, causing theV pin 73 aga-in to press against theY outer wall of thel cam groove. The movement of the drum is retarded and timed. by the pallet gearing so that a sufiicient interval is provided between the release of the drum and the registration of the segmental groove with the Vpin 73 to prevent the pin Z 3 entering the segmental groove 72 -except when the break intheauX- iliary circuit persists longer than is provided for bythe pulling, of one of the emergency signaling switches 23.

Assuming that the auxiliary circuit has been accidentally broken and the energiza-y tion of the starting magnet continues, the pin 73 will enter the vsegmental groove T2, and by further rotation of the drum and cam the lever 'I4 will be forcibly drawn toward the centre of the camk and towards an upright position. As the pin passes through the segmental groove and again enters the annular groove, the lever will reverse its movement and be *returned `again Ato its normal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 7.

acts, first to open, Vand then again to close the main line contacts 27 (see Figs. 3 and 7),

this being ell'ected by the pin 8U carried by the curved upper end 8l of the lever 74, and brought into lifting engagement with the overhanging end 82 or the upper one of the contacts 27. rllhe main line circuit being thus temporarily interrupted, a single tap or signal is transmitted to the central station, which serves as a speciiic signal indicating the presence ot a line fault on one ,ot the auxiliarv lines connected to the circuit'.

It desired, this spec-ilic signal may be tollowed., or otherwise coupled witn, the aeiteristic signal oi the master box. thus indicating to the central st tion the partienla r auxiliary circuit which at fault, or on the other hand, the apparatus may be so adjusted or constructed that the auxiliary pull mechanism in the box will be thrown into inoperative or a net set position, without any further signal being transmit-- ted.

Herein the box starting attachment has means whereby it may be adjusted at will to send the specific signal alone or to vtolle-w 75. to which the selecting lever 74e is secured, has an outwardly directed projection or lug, 85, in which is mount-ed the adjustable set screw 86, underlying the end 87 ot the bei; tripping link 20. lili1 on the rotation ot the drum and cam, the pin 7 3 enters the segmental groove, the set screw 86 is lifted by movement of the lever 7 e and ra es the end of the box tripping link, this serving to disA connect the saine trointhe auxiliary pull mechanism. As shown in Fig. 7, the box tripping link has a shouldered portion 88 against which is normally pressed a pin 89, carried by the box tripping cam lever 90. The la-tter is pivoted between the two ears 91 (Fig. 5) carried by the frame, and is actuated by the continued rotation of the drum, so as to press the pin 89 against the shouldered portion of the box tripping link and move the same to trip the box.

When the adjusting screw 86 is adjusted to approximately the position shown in Fig. 7, the movement of the signaling lever 7e responsive to an accidental break in the auxiliary -circuit lifts the end ot the box tripping link 87 to such a height that the subsequent movement of the tripping leve-r, which follows shortly thereafter, will cause the pin 89 to pass along the under edge oli the link 87 without engagement with the shouldered portion thereof, and no further signal can be sent in addition to the specific trouble signal until the box is again set.

lt the adjusting screw 86 is set so as to allow suiiicient initial clearance between the end 87 of the box tripping link and the tip of the screw, the movement ot the selecting lever 7e as the pin 7 8 enters the segmental groove 72 will have no effect on the box it with the box signal. To that end, the hub tripping link, but the parts will remain in their normal position in readiness for actuation by the subsequent movement of the box tripping lever, and the specific signal will be followed by the individual signal or' the station.

lt the break in the auxiliary circuit is of short duration, such as follows the sending ot an emergency signal from one ot the stations on the auxiliary circuit, the armature lever will be restored to its normal position before the mouth ot he segmental path is brought into registration with the pin 73, so that the latter, being no longer forced against the inner wall of the annular path, i "li remain iu that path and no movement t 'he lever 74- will result. vUnder these conitions, the drain will continue to rotate and .ie emergency signal will be given in the usual way by the movement ol the box tripping lever 90. i

ln the course ot the rotation of the drum, shortly ai'ter the mouth ot' the segmental groove 72 passes the pin 78, the box tripping lever 90 is thrown inwardly by means of an actuating cam 95 (see Figs. 3 and 6). It the break is the result ot' an emergency signal, this acts to actuate the box tripping link 20. It the set screw 86 on the lever projection 85 is adjusted,to leave suilicient clearance between the screw and the link 87 to prevent the prior disconnection of the link from the pin 89, the cam actuated movement of the lever 90 will also act to trip the box, even though the break be a permanent break. The cam 95 is secured to one side of the drum da and has a cam surface 96, against which bears the lateral pin 97, carried on the lever 90, the pin being held outwardly against the cam surface by means of the coiled spring 98 at the ulcrum of the lever (see Figs. 3 and 5).

The cam surface 96 is so shaped that when the drum has turned to a suitable point, the tripping lever is moved to the lett (as viewed in Fig. 6), being allowed to resume its normal position under the influence of ythe coiled spring 98 when the drum completes its revolution. vWhen this point is reached the drum is brought to rest by the release lever l. It will, theretore, be seen that, with the drum wound up and set, the box tripping cam lever 90 will give one complete oscillation whenever the drum is released, and that this serves to release the signaling train, or not, according to the duration of the break in the auxiliary circuit and the position or' the adjusting screw 86.

Immediately after the mouth of the segmental path 72 passes the pin 78 in the course of the turning oit the drum, the tripping magnet 2l is shunted.

rihis not only cuts out the resistance of the magnet from the main line, thereby increasing the line current, but de-energizes the magnet, so that if the break in the auX- iliary circuit is a permanent break, the arma ture lever is allowed to retract and free the releasing lever 51 to stop the drum at the end of one revolution. For this purpose, the normally open contacts 100 are provided (see Fig. 2) which are contained in a shunt circuit about the magnet 21, so that the closure of these contacts reduces the current through the magnet to an insignificant amount, whether the auxiliary circuit is opened or closed. These contacts 100 (Fig. 8) are normally held open by the lifting pressure of the pin 101, exerted against the under side of the overlying contact nger 102. If the pin 101 is withdrawn, the contacts 100 close and the magnet 21 becomes shunted. The pin 101 is carried. by the curved end 103 of the shunt lever 104, which E is pivoted at 105 uponY the frame. The shunt lever is normally held in upright position to hold the contacts open by a holding arm 106, which has a notched portion 107 engage ing a holding pin 108, projecting laterally from the side of the lever 104. When the holding arm 106 is depressed, a spring 109 secured to the curvedend 110 of the holding lever, tends to throw the latter righthandedly as viewed in Fig. 8 (into the dotted line position shown), thereby closing the contacts 100. To depress the holding arm 106, at the appropriate time, the latter has an upright projection 111 which lies within the path of a radial projection 112 carried by a sleeve 113, fiXedly secured to the drum 44, to turn therewith. In the rotation of the drum, the projection 112 strikes the projection 111 on the holding arm immediately Vafter the mouth of the segmental groove 72 has passed the pin 73 on the kselecting lever, andV depresses the holding arm thereby releasing thek shunt l'ever,vand cutting out the auxiliary actuating magnet.

After the projection 112 has passed out of contact with the holding arm, the latter is again lifted by a tension spring 114, so that its edge is pressed against the lateral pin 108 in readiness to catch and to hold the same when the shunt lever is moved back to its After the box Yhas beenv upright position. tripped, the starting attachment may be restored to its set or operative position by turning the end 47 of the drum shaft righthandedly (as viewed in Fig. 8) for one 'complete revolution as heretofore described, the drum being held fixed by the stop pin 68 on the release lever 51. This not only winds up the drum spring 45, but re-sets the shunt lever. For this purpose there is provided the sleeve 120, having the tooth 121, which sleeve is pinned or otherwise fastened to the drum shaft 43 to rotate therewith. With the drum spring unwound and the drum brought vide such play the sleeve is fastened to'the to rest, and with the shunt lever released and thrown as described, whenthe drum shaft is turned to .wind up the spring the projecting tooth 121 strikes the end of al' dog lever 122 which has the shouldered head 123, normally pressed up againstY the sleeve by the spring 109,0ne end ofwhich is ,se -V cured to a projection 124 on the, dog lever 122. Depression ofl this lever causes ande-` pending armv125` of the dog lever to' sweep down and, by engagement with a pin 126 i projecting laterally from the shunt lever 104, throw the latter back to its vupright po?Y I sition and there hold it Vlocked by the holding arm 106. As the tooth 121csnaps past the shoulderedhead 123, the latter moves in front of the head and acts as a holding dog to prevent reverse movement of the drum e shaft under the pull of the winding spring when the winding pressure is relieved. The winding movement of the drum shaft is limited to one complete turn by means of a Stop pin 130 (Fig. 4) kextending laterally Y from the sideof the drum, 44, and adapted to engage a stop finger 131mounted on `a, i

shaft by means of the pin 133 working in a short slot 184 inr the sleeve and` providing i l a limited angular movement of the stop iinger 131 with relation to the shaft, so that the drum when released makes one complete turn, and the shaft 45E-makes one completel turn when the apparatus is re-set.

In order to show the condition of the starting attachment, an indicator device is employed adapted to give some indication I such asthe display of the word setf when the attachment is in operative or set condition, and some contrary indication such as the display of thewords not seti when the attachment is in a run-down or un-set condition. For this purpose the shunt lever 104 has connected to its hub an uprightl arm (see Figs. 1, 3 and 9) moved by and with the latter and adapted to actuate a shield 141. The latter is lnivoted on the pallet wheel shaft 66 andhas the slot 144 in which slides the pin secured to the swinging arm 140, the relation ofthe parts being such Vthat the shield moves from one position to another with the described movement of the shunt lever. In the position which the shield assumes when the shunt lever is upright 1t covers the word not on the annunclator y plate 142 and leaves visible the word seu l/Vhen the shunt lever is released following the excitation of the starting magnet, the shield moves to its opposite position and uncovers the word not so that the reading becomes not set.

To avoid interference between signals from two diiierent signaling' stations on the same auxiliary circuit, a non-interfering lockinglever 150 (Fig. et) may be employed, the free end ot which underlies the lower end of the releasing lever and is pressed against the same by the tension spring 151. The magnet having been energized and the drum released by the movement of the releasing lever. the locking lever 150 remains in contact with the armature lever 57. As soon as the latter retracts, due to the subsequent de-energization ot' the starting` magnet, the locking lever litts and catches the armature lever 57 in the shouldered portion 152, preventing any further movement of the armature lever until the starting attachment has completed its cycle ot operations. On the completion ot the rotation of the drum. the reverse movement ot the releasing lever depresses the locking' lever l5() to a position where it no longer interferes with the movement of the armature lever 57, but it will be observed that the shunt lever, having been meanwhile released, the starting magnet is inoperative to etect any further actuation ot the signaling' mechanism until the starting attachment has been again reset.

The signaling switches 23 at the auxiliary stations are merely conventional representations of any well-known devices which provide preferably for the certain movement of some circuit breaking member as soon as an actuating device is moved, which member moves with certainty to a circuit restoring position atter a shortlmt deiinite interval. Such devices may be self-restoring, that is to s y. where the movement ot the actuator not only releases or moves the circuit breaking; member but also supplies the power which is utilized to move it in its next succeedinc` movement or movements: or, the ci rcuit lu'eakinc` member may be actuated by means such as a spring. which is wound from time to time, and which serves tomove the circuit breaking member, as described, when released by the actuator.

'lllhile l have herein shown and described tor purposes oi illustration one specific ern-- bodiment ot the invention and have illus- Vtrated the same in connection with a nor-k mally closed auxiliary circuit employing the main line current in shunt to a box starting magnet, the invention as to many of its tealtures is not limited to that particular application but is capable of a great variety of uses, and is not limited as to the form or relative arrangement of parts by which the ksame has been herein disclosed for purposes ot illustration.

Claimsr:

i. ln a tire alarm system having line circuit and an auxiliary loop on circuit, a box starting attachment tor a r ain line box provided with starting ignet the windings ot which are included he main line circuit and shunted by said iliary loop, Y aid attachment having means responsive to a temporary break in said auxiliary loop to start the box and also responsive to a continuing' break in said loop to transmit a specific signal to the central sta .ion indicative ot a line fault.

'2, In a lire alarm system having; a main line circuit and an auxiliary loop on said circuit, a box starting` attachment for a main line box provided with a startingmagnet the windingso't which are included in the main line circuit and shunted ly said auxiliary loop., said attachment having' means responsive to a temporary break in said aut-:'- iliary loop to start the box and also responsive to a continuing break in .aid loop to transmit a specific signal to the central station indicative of a line 'fault followed by the starting oi the box.

In a lire alarm system havingl a main line circuit and an auxiliary loop on said circuiti, a box starting' attachment tor a main line box provided with a starting magnet the windings of which are included in the main line circuit and shunted by said auxiliary loop, said attachment having means responsive to a temporary break in said auxiliary loop to start the box and also responsive to a continuing; break in said loop to transmit a specific signal to the central station indicative of a line fault, and said attachment. havingmeans -whereby it may be adjusted to cause said specitic signal to be transi Yittet alone or to be followed by the starting' ot the box.

ll. A box startingl attachment for use in the main line circ iit ot a tire alarm system and adapted to be controlled by a normally closed auxiliary circuit characterized by main line signaling devices in addition to the box. and selective controlling devices operable by a break in the auxiliary circuit rtor determining the starting* oit the box alone or the actuation ot said main line signalingdevices dependent on the duration of the break in said circuit.

5. In a starting; attachment tor a main line signaling transmitter, said attachment comprising a tripping magnet the, winding of which is serially connected with such transmitter, main line signaling device laside from said transmitter, and means for rendering said device operable only during action ot said attachment in response to prolonged energization ot said magnet.

In tire alarm system, a main line circuit, one or more main line srffnahng boxes il O each Witha tire signal transmitting device and mechanism responsive toan auxiliary circuit and comprising tripping mechanism for said device, an auxiliary circuit controlling the responsive mechanism of one of said boxes, and.1neans governed by said responsive mechanism and independent of said tripping mechanism for transmitting trouble signals through the main line circuit dependent on a prolonged break in the auxiliary circuit.

7.111 a tire alarm system, a main line circuit, one or more signaling boxes with a signal transmittingdevice and mechanism responsive to an auxiliary circuit and `comprising tripping mechanism for said device, an auxiliary circuit controlling the responsive mechanism of one of said boxes, one or more auxiliary signaling stations each with a circuit changing device operable to cause interruption of said auxiliary circuit for a predetermined brief interval, and means governed by said responsive mechanism and independent of said tripping mechanism for i transmitting a trouble signal through the main line circuit dependent on a breakin the auxiliar!v circuit continued longer than such predetermined interval.

8. A tire alarm system having a main line circuit and one or more signalingstations each With a main line transmitting device and mechanism responsive to an auxiliary circuit, and means governed by said responsive mechanism for transmitting a signal indicative of an auxiliary line fault and for tripping said device to cause transmission thereby of a signal indicating the particular line at fault.

9. ln a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment provided vvith a startingmagnet, a starting member' for such a transmitter, means governed by said magnet whereby said member is operable vby said attachment only When acting in response to achange in the electrical condition of said magnet having a certain Vpredetermined characteristic, and means operable by said attachment other than through said member only in response to changes in the electrical condition ofsaid magnet, which changes lack such predetermined characteristic, for formulating-a speciic signal in the current path ofsaid magnet.

l0. In a tire alarm system, a main line box comprisinga signaling-train and main line signaling mechanism comprising a magnet, means governed by saidfmagnet arranged or causing response of said mechanism to @urrent'changing devices at si gnafling stations on an auxiliary Vcircuitysaid signaling mechanism comprising signaling devices, tripping means for said signaling train, and means to actuate said signaling .devices Without tripping the train, Said been set into operation.

means depending for its effectiveness on` Whether the current change in the auxiliary circuit has a certain predetermined characteristic.

ll. ln a main line tire alarm box having a signal transmitter and an attachment comprising a member for starting said -transmitter, controlling means for said attachment arranged for response` to an auxiliary line circuit,- signaling means in addition to said transmitter, and means responsive to said attachment for actuating said signaling means inthe event of a prolonged break in the auxiliary circuit. k12. A tire alarm system in combination With a main line circuit and signaling mechanism therein, a controlling magnet in the main line circuit, a normally closed auxiliary loop in shunt to said magnet, a box starting attachment having actuating means adapted to be set in motion by the` controlling magnet and having a retarded movement, and means actuated by the movement thereof to send a specific alarmon'the continued energization of the magnet `but to start the box on a temporary energization thereof. e f

13. A fire alarmsystem havin. line circuit and anauxiliary circuit, a starting attachment for aA main line box controlled by the auxiliary circuit, circuit breaking means for Vtemporarily opening the main lineV circuit, said means including a circuit breaking member and a two path cam to movesaid `member together with cam moving means, said member when controlled by one-,path Vof the cam being moved 'circuit and comprising-starting mechanism for the signaling train, motive means for controlling said starting mechanism, said motive means having-a retarded movement, an auxiliarycircnit and means controllable by said'auxiliary circuit to' set lsaid motive means ingoperation but also controlled byv said Aauxiliary circuit to prevent the starting of thepbox after saidmotive means has `l5. A starting 'mechanism for Ya main line box of a fire alarm 'system adapted to be controlled by an auxiliarycircuit, the same comprisingja starting member, motive means adapted when released to have a retarded movement, an auxiliary circuit releasing means. a starting magnet adapted to control saidfreleasing means', `said starting magg a main net being controllable through said auxiliary circuit, and means controlled by said starting magnet tor rendering the motive means ineliective to actuate the starting member after the motive means has been released,

16. A device for starting the signaling train of a main line box for a firel alarm system comprising actuating motive means, including a shaft and a spring connected drum, releasing means and means to give a retarded movement to said drum when released, a starting magnet adapted to control said releasing means and start said motive means into operation, and means for rendering said motive means ineffective to actuate the signaling train after the drum has been released.

17. In a lire alarm system, a main line circuit having one or more signaling stations With signaling mechanism, a controlling magnet for said signaling mechanism, said magnet being in the main line circuit, an `auxiliary circuitcontrolling said magnet,

mechanism to actuate said signaling mechanism and adapted to be set in operation by said magnet, means controlled by said mechanism to send a specific signal in the event of a permanent break in the auxiliary circuit and means for diverting the main line current from said magnet atter said mechanism has been set in operation.

18. In a fire alarm system, the combination With a main line circuit, ot a signaling box, `an auxiliary circuit having a plurality ot stations, a main line transmitter at the signaling box, a starting attachment for said transmitter, said attachment comprising a magnet responsive to said auxiliary circuit, means governed by said magnet for causing response of said attachment to change-s in the electrical condition of said auxiliary circuit, a 'member for starting said transmitter, means operable by said attachment whereby said member will be subjected to actuation only When acting in response to a change in the electrical condition of said magnet having a certain predetermined time'characteristic. and means rendered eftective 'by and during the-action of said attachment in response to a change in the electrical condition of said magnet having such predetermined time characteristics tor preventing response of said attachment to subsequent changes in the condition of said magnet. n

19. A lire alarm system having a main line circuit.V a main line box, an auxiliary circuit With a plurality of sending stations therein, signaling mechanism including a box starting attachment provided with a starting ma gnet controlled by said auxiliary circuit, and including alsoy means operable through saidmagnet for sending a specific signal in the event of a line fault on said auxiliary circuit, said means having provision, rendered effective by, and d ring the action of said attachment in response to, a predetermined cycle of changes in the electrical condition of said magnet, for preventing response of said attachment to subsequent changes in the condition of said magnet.

20. In starting` attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment provided with a starting magnet, a starting member for such a transmitter, means governed by said magnet whereby said member is operable by said attachment only when acting in response to a change in the electrical condition ot said magnet having a certain predetermined time characteristic, said means having provision rendered effective by and during the act-ion of said attachment in response to a change in the electrical condition of said magnet having such predetermined time characteristic, for preventing response of said attachment to subsequent changes in the condition ot said magnet.

21. In a fire alarm system, the combination of a main line circuit having a signaling box, a normally closed auxiliary circuit, a starting magnet in the main line circuit, controllable by said auxiliary circuit, means governed by said magnet for causing response ot said box in the event of abnormal conditioning of said auxiliary circuit for not to exceed a predetermined interval, and line fault responsive means governed by the action of said starting magnet in response to abnormal conditioning of said auxiliary circuit for a greater interval, said means acting after the lapse of such a greater interval to render the magnet unresponsive to main line current flow.

'22. In a lire alarm system having an auxiliary circuit and a box starting magnet controlled thereby, said magnet being in the main line circuit, a magnet controlled attachment comprising box starting means, and an auxiliary line vfault responsive device for cutting out the resistance of the `magnet windings, said device being operable independently of said means.

23. A fire alarm system having a main line circuit and a normally closed auxiliary circuit with a box startingattachment` the latter having a set and an unset condition and comprising means for changing the condition o't said attachment trom set to unset and for eiiectuating said change in the condition of said attachment responsive to said auxiliary circuit to thereby start a main line box and also responsive to a line fault in said auxiliary circuit to thereby send a specific signal.

24. A fire alarm system having a main line circuit and a normally closed auxiliary circuit, a box starting attachment, the latter having a set and unset position, with mechanism for actuating said attachment including devices controlled by the auxiliary circuit for starting the box when in its set position, and devices forsending a specific signal over the main line circuit indicative of an auxiliary line fault and for throwingthe attachment to an unset position.

25. A fire alarm system having a main line circuit and a normally closed auxiliary circuit with a box starting attachment, said attachment comprising a member having a set and an unset position and devices controllable by said auxiliary circuit to cause movement of said member from. its set to its unset position, said devicescomprising means selectively controllable by said auxiliary circuit for sending a specific signal and accomplishing such movement without `otherwise Leffective'actuation of the box starting attachment. y Y

26. In a tire alarm system, the combination with a main line circuit, an auxiliary circuit with a plurality of signaling stations thereon, signaling mechanism controlled by said auxiliar-yfcircuit; including a signaling trainadapted to be released to transmit a characteristic signal.' over the main line'and means for transmitting over the.y main line a specific signal indicative of a line fault, controlling devices for said signaling. mechanism including a magnet in the-*main line circuit, said auxiliary circuit being in shunt tofsaid magnet; a motive device for starting the train adapted mbe-sert in operation by the energization of said magnet due to breaking the auxiliarycircuit at a signaling station but ineffective to start the train until after the lapse of a substantial interval,

means operated by the energization of theY magnet at the endof a shorter interval vfollowing the operation ofthe motive device for transmitting the specific signah and means after the motive device has been started under the control of one signal station for preventing the reenergization of the magnet through a second station from actuating said specific signal transmit-ting means.

27. In a lire alarm system having a main line circuit and an auxiliary circuit with a plurality of signaling stations thereon, a box starting attachment for a lire alarm system adapted to be controlled by an auxiliary circuit having a motive device for starting the box adapted to be set in operation by the breaking of the circuit but ineffective to start the box until after the lapse of a substantial interval, means operated by the presence of a break in said circuit at the end 0f a shorter interval following the operation of the motive device for transmitting a different signal, and means, after the motive device has been started and the auxiliary circuit again closed, for preventing a sucA 6 ceeding break inthe circuit. from actuating said different signal transmitting means.

28. In a fire alarmsystem having an auxiliary. circuit and a box starting magnet conf vided with a starting magnet, a member for starting an associated transmitter, mechanism for voperating said member from said starting magnet, and means operable other than through. said member for formulating a Vsignal only when said attachment is acting in response, to energization of said magnet continuedy in excess of a predetermined interval.

30'. In a' starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment providedr with a starting magnet, member; oper- Y able for starting an associated transmitter, and mechanism responsive to energization of said starting magnet for not to exceed a predetermined interval -to actuate said starting member and said attachment including also signal formulating devicesresponsive to yenergization of said starting magnet continued for a time substantially longer thanY said predetermined interval to act t-o formulate a signal. Y

31. In a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, saidattachment provided'witha starting magnet, member operable for starting an associated transmitter,

signal formulatingmeans subject to` actuation by said` attachment, and a determining devicegoverned by said magnet and operable by. saidattachment said determining device having provision whereby said formulating means will be actuated to formulate its signal only when said magnet is effectively energized at a predtermined point in the operation of said attachment.

32. In a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment provided with a starting magnet, means including a starting member operable for starting an associated transmitter, signal formulating means subject to actuation by said attachment, and a determining device governed by said magnet and operable by said attachment, said determining device having provision whereby said starting member will be actuated only when said-magnet is not effectively energized at a predetermined point in the operation of said attachment and having also provision whereby said formulating means will be actuated to formulate its signal only when said magnet is effectively energized at such predetermined point.

33. In a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment provided With a starting magnet, means includ-l ing a starting member operable by said attachment for starting an associated transmitter only When acting in response to energization of said magnet the duration of which does not exceed a predetermined interval, and means operable by said attach- `nent independent of said starting member fer formulating a signal only when said attachment is acting in response to energi- Zation of said starting magnet the duration of Which exceeds such predetermined interval.

34. In a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment pro vided With a starting magnet, means including a starting member operable for starting an associated transmitter and signal formulating means each independently operable by said attachment, electrical conductors for serially connecting said starting magnet and said formulating means| With each other and with such a transmitter, and a determining device comprising a controlling member and a retarded operated member, said controlling member governed by said st-arting magnet and said retarded member being arranged to engage said controlling member to cause actuation of said formulating means only When said controlling member is abnormally positioned at the termination of a predetermined interval measured by the movement of said retarded member.

35. In a signaling system comprising amain line signal circuit, a code signal transmitter included in said circuit, a starting attachment for said transmitter having a tripping magnet the Winding of Which is included in Said circuit, a comparatively lovsT resistance shunting loop for said magnet Winding, and a plurality of auxiliary stations included in said loop and each having mechanism arranged to break said loop for a certain predetermined period following actuation thereof and to thereupon close such break, the combination of means responsive to the action of said attachment for starting said transmitter onl;I when said attachment is acting in response to energization of said tripping magnet` the duration of Which does not substantially exceed that of a shunt loop break incident to the actuation of any auxiliary station and also operable by the action of said attachment to formulate a signal in said circuit only When said attachment is acting in rcsi'lonsc to energization of said tripping magnet continued for a period substantially greater than that of the shunt loop break incident to the actuation of any auxiliary station.

36. In a starting attachment for a main line signal transmitter, said attachment provided With a starting magnet, means including a starting member operable for starting an associated transmitter and signal fornuilating means, said means being subject each to independent actuation by said attachment.

3T. In a starting attachment for aninain line signal transmitter, said attachment provided With a starting magnet, a menibcl` for starting such a transmitter operable lzgvsaid attachment only when acting in response to abnormal conditioning of said magnet for not to exceed a predetermined interval, and means rendered effective by and during the action of said attachment for preventing response during any cycle of the action thereof to a repeated abnormal conditioning of said magnet.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication.

NATHAN I-I. SIIREN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is'hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,503,439, granted July 29, 1924, upon the application of Nathan H. Suren, of Needham, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Fire-Alarm Systems, errors appear inthe printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 9, line 90, claim' 30, land line 103, claim 31.

after the Word ma `net insert the Words'means zaclaazm/ a stmzfzn and line or g U g;

112, for the misspelled Word predtermined read predetermined; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the 'same mag conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Oce. n f

gned land sealed this 2d dag/"of September, A. D. 1924,

' KARL FEN NIN G,

[SEAL] Acting owwm'ssz'oner of Patents. 

